The fridge is perhaps the only household appliance you never switch off, use 10-20 times a day and which — by all accounts — few of us clean regularly. And we should. Research has shown that the inside of a fridge can contain more bacteria per square centimetre than a toilet seat — because the temperature is ideal for many pathogens, and food debris gives them everything they need to grow. This guide shows how to clean your fridge thoroughly and regularly, remove odours and extend the life of the appliance.
How often should you clean your fridge?
| The Task | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Wiping up spills and stains | Immediately (always) |
| Wiping shelves and drawers | Once a week |
| Thorough cleaning of the interior | Once a month |
| Cleaning the seals (rubber gaskets) | Once a month |
| Cleaning the condenser (rear section) | Once a year |
| Complete defrosting and cleaning | Once or twice a year |
Preparation for cleaning
- Switch off the fridge or set the thermostat to its lowest setting
- Remove all food — use this as an opportunity to check expiry dates
- Remove shelves, drawers and racks
- For defrosting: place towels on the floor in front of the fridge
Cleaning the interior — zone by zone
Shelves and drawers
- Soak in a mixture of warm water and a few drops of washing-up liquid (do not use boiling water on cold glass — it will crack)
- Leave for 10 minutes to allow the deposits to soften
- Wipe with a sponge and rinse with clean water
- Dry with a towel before refitting
Internal walls and ceiling
A 1:1 mixture of white vinegar and water is ideal — it disinfects, refreshes and doesn't leave a chemical smell that could transfer to food:
- Soak a microfibre cloth in vinegar and water
- Wipe all interior walls, ceiling and floor
- Pay special attention to the corners and shelf joints
- Wipe with a clean, dry cloth
Rubber seals (gaskets)
The seals are often the dirtiest part of the fridge as they are prone to trapping food, moisture and mould. Method:
- Old toothbrush + bicarbonate of soda paste
- Scrub all the folds of the seal thoroughly
- Wipe with a damp cloth
- Dry with a dry cloth
- Rub with a thin layer of vegetable oil (extends the seal's elasticity)
Vegetable drawer (the wettest part)
The vegetable drawers are the area with the highest humidity, where bacteria and mould grow the fastest:
- Remove the drawer, rinse with warm water
- Wipe with vinegar water
- Place a dry paper towel at the bottom of the drawer to absorb moisture from the vegetables — change once a week
Drainage hole (frozen water)
A small hole at the bottom of the fridge drains condensation. When it gets blocked, water collects at the bottom of the fridge:
- Find the drain hole (usually at the bottom of the rear wall of the interior)
- Clean with a thin object (a straw, a plastic stick) — not metal, which could cause damage.
- Rinse with a little warm water
Removing unpleasant odours from the fridge
Odours in the fridge can come from a number of things at once: old leftovers, food decomposition, bacteria, and the absorption of strong smells (cheese, fish, onion).
Emergency solution: bicarbonate of soda
An open box of bicarbonate of soda in the fridge absorbs odours — replace it once a month. This is a preventative measure, not a cure for a strong smell.
For a strong odour: coffee grounds
Freshly ground coffee in an open container absorbs the most stubborn odours. Leave it in the fridge for 24-48 hours, and you can use the coffee to clean the sink.
For fish or cheese odours
Activated charcoal filter (available from pharmacies and online) — the most powerful odour absorber. One piece in the fridge a week eliminates even the smell of salmon.
Procedure for a strong odour
- Thoroughly clean the inside (see above)
- Leave the fridge open for 2-4 hours to dry and air out.
- Wipe the inside with diluted vanilla essence (neutralises odours)
- Place an activated carbon filter or bicarbonate of soda
External surfaces of the fridge
- Front (stainless steel): microfibre cloth + special stainless steel cleaner or diluted vinegar (wipe in the direction of the grain!)
- Front (white plastic): damp microfibre cloth + a little washing-up liquid
- Top of the fridge: often overlooked — collects dust and grease from the cooker hood. Once a week, wipe with a damp cloth.
- Rear and condenser: once a year — pull the fridge away and vacuum the condenser (the grey grille). A condenser full of dust uses up to 30% more electricity
Fridge deep-clean checklist
- ☐ Fridge switched off and emptied
- ☐ All shelves and drawers removed and washed
- ☐ Interior walls — vinegar and water
- ☐ Seals — bicarbonate of soda paste
- ☐ Drain hole — cleaned
- ☐ Vegetable drawer — wiped and fresh paper towel
- ☐ Exterior — stainless steel or plastic
- ☐ Top of fridge — dust
- ☐ Condenser (annually) — vacuum cleaner
- ☐ Bicarbonate of soda or charcoal filter for odours
How long does it take to clean the fridge?
- Weekly wiping: 5-10 minutes
- Monthly thorough cleaning: 20-30 minutes
- Complete (defrosting + everything): 2-3 hours
Local context
In households in Dugo Selo, Sesvete, Brckovljani and the surrounding area, where local markets are often used to buy fresh food, the fridge is particularly prone to a variety of food types, strong odours and increased humidity. Regular weekly cleaning of the fridge, combined with an annual deep clean of the home, is the foundation for a healthy and hygienic kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can vinegar be used to clean the inside of the fridge?
Yes. Diluted white vinegar (1:1 with water) is ideal — it disinfects, refreshes and neutralises odours. The smell of vinegar disappears as soon as it dries (10-20 minutes). Rinsing is not necessary if it is sufficiently diluted. Avoid using undiluted vinegar on plastic parts, as they may soften with prolonged contact.
How many bacteria build up in an uncleaned fridge?
Research by NSF International has shown that the vegetable drawer of an average fridge contains up to 7,850 bacteria per square centimetre — of which Salmonella, Listeria and E. coli were found in 36% of the fridges tested. Weekly wiping down reduces bacterial contamination by 90%.
What to do if your fridge smells of plastic (new appliance)?
A new fridge smells of the plastic components that are 'cooked off' during its first run. Leave the fridge empty and switched on for 24-48 hours with the door ajar (if the room allows) or with the ventilation open. Wipe the inside with diluted vinegar. The smell will disappear within a few days of normal use.
Does the freezer need cleaning in the same way?
Yes, but less often. The freezer is less prone to bacteria (temperature -18°C), but it collects ice, food residue and odours. Defrost and clean it once or twice a year. A thick layer of ice (more than 1 cm) reduces energy efficiency and capacity.
How can I stop food in the fridge from smelling?
Airtight containers are essential. Always keep fish, cheese and onions in a sealed container. Keep fruit and vegetables separate (the ethylene that fruit releases accelerates the ripening of vegetables). An activated carbon filter or bicarbonate of soda in the fridge absorbs any remaining odours. Weekly checks and the removal of old leftovers prevent sources of odours from building up.
Can the fridge be cleaned with steam (SC5)?
Internal walls — not recommended directly as steam can damage plastic components and electronic temperature sensors. External metal surfaces (stainless steel) — a brief steam pass is acceptable. For the interior, a damp microfibre cloth with vinegar is the optimal method.
Why does water collect at the bottom of the fridge?
Water at the bottom of the fridge is almost always a blocked drain. Condensation water from normal operation cannot drain away — it collects. Solution: clear the drain (see guide above). If water continues to collect after cleaning the drain — call a technician to check the compressor and cooling system.
Can a dirty fridge affect the taste of food?
Absolutely. Food absorbs odours from its surroundings inside the fridge — especially dairy products, butter and dough. A fridge that smells of fish or onions will transfer that smell to butter in an open packet. Airtight containers and regular cleaning are the only protection for the flavour of fresh food.
Conclusion
A clean fridge isn't a luxury — it's the foundation of food safety. Ten minutes of wiping down each week and a thorough clean once a month is all it takes to keep your fridge running hygienically, efficiently, and free of unpleasant odours. Your food and your health deserve a clean fridge.
If you don't have the right equipment or simply want to leave the job to the professionals, there are solutions that can significantly speed up and simplify the entire process.